Thanks to a team of Portland Police officers, a runaway tortoise named Bowser is back home safe with his grateful owners after two days on the lam.
On Thursday, August 1, 2024 at about 10 a.m., Portland Police officers assigned to the East Precinct Neighborhood Response Team were doing an ATV outreach mission to houseless individuals living on the multi-use path along the west side of Interstate 205. During the mission, which was coordinated with the Street Services Coordination Center, officers were notifying houseless community members about the coming heat wave, providing cooling center information, and handing out bottled water.
While working just north of Southeast Flavel Street, the officers spotted something unexpected: a tortoise walking down the middle of the path. Recognizing that this may be a runaway pet, the officers caught up with the fugitive reptile. They contacted Multnomah County Animal Control, who sent an officer and determined that the tortoise’s name was Bowser and he was reported missing from his home in the 9700 block of Southeast Claybourne Street on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
The Animal Control Officer contacted the grateful owner, who picked up the escapee from the Multnomah County Animal Shelter.
It’s not clear where Bowser spent his two days away from home, or how he traversed the interstate freeway – but Portland Police is gratified that he is safe and sound and back home with his family.